This is how Apple is keeping larger iPhone displays in a small package

posted by Michael H. / Aug 15, 2014, 12:23 PM

Spoiler alert: Apple's method for keeping the overall phone size small while increasing the iPhone display size is exactly the same as every other smartphone manufacturer on the planet. That's pretty crazy, right? If you want to keep the phone size small and make the display bigger, there is really only one option: shrink the bezels.

Apple has always held the position that smartphones need to be usable with one hand. It's why the iPhone stayed smaller while the majority of competing devices kept getting bigger and bigger. So, Apple obviously needs to do something to make sure the 4.7-inch display on the iPhone 6 doesn't make the overall package too big to use one-handed. New leaked images of the front face of the iPhone 6 from Sonny Dickson and uSwitch show how Apple is doing that. Obviously the side bezels have been made thinner, but Apple is also reclaiming some space by shrinking the bottom bezel that surrounds the home button.

The trouble is obviously that Apple's iconic design is making it difficult to really reclaim all that much space. For example, Apple could never make a 4.7-inch iPhone as small overall as the Moto X, because a device like that wouldn't have anywhere to put the home button. So, this leaves a big question: what is Apple's plan for the reported 5.5-inch iPhone? It will obviously be another instance of Apple saying something is a terrible idea, until they do it, but the only way to use a device that large with one hand is if you happen to have extremely large hands. Making an extremely thin device will only help so much.

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posted on Aug 15, 2014, 12:26 PM 0

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

(phonearena)?????
I don't see here "small bezels".
Not even side bezels. If there is some (stupid) excuse about the low bezel, what is the excuse about the HUGE top bezel???
If those pictures are real thing, iPhone 6 will be one of the bulkiest (4.7") device for the screen size.
I "love" the title of the article though . LOL

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 1:03 PM 19

Posts: 4062; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

It's called "Native Advertising", which is literally advertising disguised as news. Companies can either pay for it or news sites run it to get traffic as well as favors from the company they are helping out. They label the Android manufacturer articles here "by Samsung" or "by LG" and I'm pretty sure there are Apple ones as well, just not labeled as such. It is all the new trend in advertising because the vast majority of readers never pick up on the fine print and think that it is a professional analysis/opinion instead of a giant ad.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 2:23 PM 4

Posts: 1470; Member since: Jun 19, 2014

Why should Apple need pay for advertising ? They have enough happy consumers that are the BEST possible advertising and articles (and discussions under them) about them are so popular that tech sites are competing, which on will make more of them, as it attracts people, AD clicks and money.
I don't think Apple ever done this, as they don't need to and if they did, it would be an article about how Apple pays to write articles or pays kids to bash an competing product or whatever sensation, but it newer happened like to other companies.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 3:06 PM 0

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

"Why should Apple need pay for advertising ?"
Why really? When they(apple) own all the tech media. And feed them. And no-apple-fan, can not have job there. Besides most of them being US media, they are PATRIOTS. LOL

posted on Aug 16, 2014, 4:23 AM 0

Posts: 1470; Member since: Jun 19, 2014

The excuse for big top and bottom bezels is comfortable holding in landscape mode, when there is no bezel, you can't put the finger on front of the device without making an unintended touch, and hold it for its edge. Also, if you are about to ask, lighter device, requires smaller bezel , as you don't need so much grip for comfortable holding. It also keeps the device more balanced, and it feels lighter as the bigger top bezel shifts the center of gravity away from hand when holding it. And there is probably a lot more.... Apple is based on details that enhance the user experience in small but meaningful ways.
Maybe it will be a tad wider and taller than moto X but, considering that it's Apple iPhone they will find a radical new way how to make it comfortably useable with one hand.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 2:55 PM 0

So much BS in one post. Congrats! The top bezel is fashion over function, so stop trying to deny it. Apple is once again making a product they once said was pointless, which makes them look stupid, but is a win for the comsumer.

Posts: 613; Member since: May 16, 2013

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 12:31 PM 2

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

Or, make the home button a 'soft' button, like Android has done. Although that might get Apple sued…. Another approach would be to make the home button an oval shape. That will definitely get Apple sued by Sammy.
Time to announce that two-handed use helps prevent dropping the iToy.

Posts: 570; Member since: Jun 16, 2014

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 12:49 PM 1

Posts: 3722; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

Calm down, I was just t̶r̶o̶l̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ having a bit of fun.
That being said, if you think the "new Apple" is going to deviate in any way from their history of "we're the best, everyone before us did it wrong," you've got another thing coming. That's their bread and butter, and it has worked really well.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 12:52 PM 3

Posts: 64; Member since: Dec 10, 2013

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 12:51 PM 1

Posts: 2470; Member since: May 06, 2009

Thinking about it, with the iPhones huge bottom and top bezels, 16:9 aspect ratio, and 4.7" screen; it'll probably be around the same size as the HTC One M7... To this I go....eeeehhhhh...Nothing spectacular there. Its not like we're talking about LG bezels here.....
I give this one big Apple.....YAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn.​......Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 6:54 PM 0

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

When there are not news from Apple , just invent such BS articles and post them every day, to keep Apple alive. And don't forget to put big intrigue title, worshiping the "magic" of Apple.
Only risk here is, that you make fool of you.
ROTFL
Oooh, and don't forget to give us the next basing Samsung article. Can't wait!!

Posts: 3722; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 1:09 PM 2

Posts: 556; Member since: Feb 17, 2013

Which when you really think about it, it's that one top key feature that prevents them from uhh...ya know going further outside the box being the Touch ID's sensor placement. Apart from shrinking the bezels (obviously) one has to wonder how is it such a monumental task to just shave off some more millimeters off the home button's overall diameter, though I suspect that both the sensor's size + sensitivity to be the main obstacle. If Apple can/willing to do something about that they can really kill 2 birds with 1 stone; both "forehead" and chin reduced and surely it's not hard to settle the side bezels issue considering that by now the R&D guys would only need to crack a G3 open for inspiration.
ok tldr = it's not gonna be easy lol

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